At Braverman Reproductive Immunology, we believe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and various pregnancy and infertility complications (listed below) appear to have the same cause. In fact, we have found that a large number of patients who present to our center with the below complications already have a child with ASD.

This discovery started us on the journey to see if ASD itself could be prevented while treating other associated conditions. We believe treatment for these common issues will not only prevent the pregnancy complications listed below, but may also prevent ASD in the group of patients that have already had a child with ASD.

  • Recurrent Miscarriage
  • Unexplained Fertility
  • Endometriosis
  • PCOS
  • Autoimmune Disease
  • Preeclampsia
  • HELLP Syndrome
  • Still Birth
  • Preterm Labor
  • Fetal Growth Restriction (IUGR)
  • Placental Abruption

Autism & Reproductive Immunology Treatment

The Research of Braverman Reproductive Immunology

As specialists in reproductive immunology, we treat numerous patients who have suffered previous miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. Many of these women have had at least one child on the autism spectrum.

The most common question we encounter from our patients is, "Are the two outcomes connected?" Our patients want to know if diagnosis and treatment for the immune-related causes of miscarriage may also lessen the chance of a having a second child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently reported that about 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism. Accordingly, there are millions of couples asking the question, "Can we reduce our chances of a second child with ASD?"

In an effort to discover the answers my patients and countless other families are seeking, we have created this informational website. Our practice is currently investigating the following:

  • Can autism be prevented by treating immune-related issues during pregnancy?
  • Can we identify those babies that are most susceptible to these inflammatory responses from women with known or as yet unknown underlying autoimmune issues?

What We Know So Far

For some time now, we have noticed a trend among patients: Mothers with autoimmune disorders who experience an inflammatory flare during the second trimester appear to have an increased risk of having a child on the autistic spectrum. The correlation seems stronger in mothers who have had previous miscarriages and / or a previous child with ASD. Recent studies have also noticed the connection, citing data gathered from the CDC.

Because the second trimester is when critical brain development takes place, it seems logical to conclude that any hindrance to fetal growth at this time, including a trigger of the baby's autoimmune issues due to an overactive immunological response from the mother, could potentially be detrimental to the cognitive progression of the child.

Autism rates are on the rise, and it is our belief and experience that this is due to the many "triggers" present in our diets, as well as the medications that our "at-risk population of women" (women with underlying or known autoimmune syndromes) are exposed to.

Our investigation into this topic includes:

  • Identifying fetal predisposition for ASD
  • Studying the maternal population determined to be at risk
  • Investigating triggers we have identified
  • Comparing pregnancy immune findings with the development of autism

If you have taken the time to read our website, chances are you too are interested
in learning more about immune-related miscarriages and the possible link to ASD.
If so, we would love to hear from you!